WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The University of North Carolina Wilmington is facing criticism after announcing the closure of its Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

The move, prompted by policy changes by the UNC Board of Trustees, also includes the elimination of the Chief Diversity Officer position and the reassignment of the Cultural and Identity Centers to Student Affairs.

The changes, which come just weeks before the start of the new school year, have raised concerns from students, faculty and community leaders.

UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety said in a statement that the decision was made with “careful and deliberate thought,” emphasizing the university’s commitment to complying with the new policy, continued student success and protecting tenured staff from layoffs.

Dr. Donyell Roseboro, current Chief Diversity Officer, will return to a faculty position within the Watson College of Education. The university’s cultural centers, including the Upperman African American Cultural Center, the Centro Hispano, the Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Resource Center and the Asian Heritage Cultural Center, will remain in their current locations under Student Affairs. However, the change in oversight is expected to lead to changes in staffing and programming, raising concerns about the future of these resources.

Local civil rights leaders have voiced strong opposition to the decision.

President Deborah Dicks Maxwell of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference expressed deep concern. “This closure comes just weeks before students in need of guidance and help navigating the world of higher education arrive,” Maxwell said.

President LeRon Montgomery of the New Hanover County Branch of the NAACP also criticized the move. “This action against students stinks of those who want to undermine those who don’t look or act like them. What message does this send to the community? You’re leaving one employee per center. This is unacceptable,” said Montgomery.

WWAY sits down with Christine Reed Davis, vice chancellor for student affairs at UNCW, to elaborate on the policy change. That story airs tonight on WWAY.